101 totally funny and irreverent stories, fables and parables from medieval and renaissance Europe. Excerpted from several original works written by Johannes Pauli, (1450s-1530s) a Franciscan Friar and eventual administrator of the Barefoot Order of Monks. Pauli is a much beloved German renaissance author throughout the 16th Century in Europe, his works are included in a long list of what were then known as comic tales or 'Schwanke" books. Presented here for the first time, in a long time, is a translated collection of these stories in no particular order of importance. These gritty tales are filled with historical anecdotes, and surprise endings, that will delight the modern reader. The shock value, or the punchline, of some of these stories will leave the reader truly amazed. Originally written in a simple and direct manner, the moral of the story was plainly imparted to the 16th century readers. This translation attempts to capture some of the original spirit that was intended with these stirring tales."